There are very few film screenplay competitions. I mean only screenplays and not projects; for the latter, there is already a production company, budget, shooting schedule, and an estimated technical crew.
In some festivals, there are indeed awards for projects, such as Medina del Campo, Gijón, Cinema Jove, Abycine, etc., and there are also grants from both the ICAA and some Autonomous Communities.
In screenplay competitions, screenplay writing is awarded, and the author is directly supported. The aim is to help in the creation of a work from the very beginning, even before it becomes a project and starts seeking funding.
Screenplay competitions have always seemed very important to me, for several reasons:
- They represent the initial impetus to generate the project. An award for a screenplay makes it easier to get a producer interested in producing it and seeking funding.
- They help to get initial feedback and improve the screenplay writing.
- It is the first source of funding that can greatly help the future project. For example, a screenplay grant, however small, can provide access to registration in the Euro Connection co-production forum and earn points for other grants and subsidies.
- It can be the first step in festival distribution. Festivals that have a screenplay (or project) award often follow the trajectory of the screenwriter and director, which can facilitate their selection in the festival once the work is completed.
- The author is supported when still alone, helping with the writing and development of the screenplay, which is fundamental for generating quality films. Without a good screenplay, we have nothing to do.
In other countries, it is common for film festivals to have sections to award screenplays, for both short films and feature films. On the Filmfreeway submission platform itself, there is a filter for this type of competition, which yields a result of 928 festivals with screenplay awards.
I have been looking for these screenplay competitions in our country, as many of the ones I had noted no longer exist.
This is the result:
#1 Fescila La Almunia Screenplay Competition
The Florián Rey Cultural Association organizes this short film screenplay competition within the festival. Screenplays must have a maximum length of 20 pages. There are several cash prizes, with €500 for first place and €300 for second. There are also specific awards for Hispanic American, Aragonese, regional, and youth screenplays, up to 21 years old.
The submission deadline was January 25. The festival usually publishes the list of all submitted screenplays on its website.
#2 University of Navarra Short Film Screenplay Competition
This is organized by the Faculty of Communication and the Master’s in Audiovisual Screenwriting at the University of Navarra. Screenplays must be between 6 and 10 pages long and are aimed at Master’s applicants, as the prize is a discount on tuition fees.
The submission period is now open, until April 30, 2017.
#3 International Center of Photography – EFTI Short Film Screenplay Competition
This competition is also linked to a training activity, as it is organized by the International Master’s in Digital Cinema at this center. The prize for this competition is the production of the short film through a production company, and the participation of the Master’s students.
The call for entries closed on January 15 of this year.
#4 Abcguionistas International Short Film Screenplay Competition
It offers 10 cash prizes. There are awards for screenplays of 6 to 12 pages and for 5 pages. The maximum prize money is €400, or €700 in academic services from Ars-Media, which organizes the competition together with Abcguionistas.
The second edition was held last year, and the call for entries is not yet open. Last year, the deadline was July 8.
#5 Cortometrando Festival Screenplay Competition of the Diputación de Castellón
This is more of a project competition, but the screenplay is requested, so I have included it. According to previous years’ rules (new rules are pending publication), filming in Castellón is mandatory, only in the locations designated by the Diputación for each project. The prize consists of €700 to help with travel and living expenses during filming.
If the short film is not made, the prize must be returned, so it is more of a project award. You can follow the competition’s progress on the Facebook page.
#6 SGAE Julio Alejandro Feature Film Screenplay Award
It has a prize of €25,000, making it the most important Feature Film Screenplay Award in our country. It has an Ibero-American scope, and you must be an SGAE member to participate.
Last year, the deadline was August 8, and the call for entries opened on June 20.
#7 La Traca Comedy Feature Film Screenplay Competition
It is organized by the Valencian Film Writers Association and was recently launched. It has a prize of €2,000. The submission period opens on March 20 and closes on April 21.
This concludes the screenplay competitions.
Dismal
Of the 6 short film screenplay competitions, only Fescila and Abcguionistas could be considered, as the rest have many restrictions, are aimed at project realization, or are linked to Master’s tuition, as in the case of the University of Navarra.
What is happening? If we think about it, organizing a screenplay competition can be relatively simple. It doesn’t require technical complications or a large budget. Moreover, often the important thing is not the prize money, but the impetus for the future project and for the screenwriter’s career and training.
For example, for a short film screenplay competition, a minimum prize of €500 would already be a help. Is it really that complicated? I truly hope that this post is missing other competitions that I haven’t found.
Help me, I would really appreciate it if you know of other screenplay competitions, please write a comment below.
And if not, at least I hope this post can help a little to raise awareness of the need to foster screenplay creation and support young screenwriters.
Without them, cinema would not be possible.